AVS › AVS Forum › Display Devices › Display Calibration › SpyderTV Review
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

SpyderTV Review - Page 2

post #31 of 933
8/23/05 at 11:06am
you can load that nice equipment and come play on my 2 lcd screens....did i mention i have a ton of beer...i mean a lot of beer.
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #32 of 933
8/23/05 at 11:25am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mczolton View Post

I'd say go with the SpyderTV. Judging by the original review, you will be able to obtain xyY data from the SpyderTV software.

Mark

All that you need in addition to the SpyderTV is a spreadsheet model (mine, Jeff's, your own, someone else's) to make sense of the xyY data.
Reply
Reply
post #33 of 933
8/23/05 at 12:47pm
you bringing that equipment over or do i need to send this beer back.
Reply
Reply
post #34 of 933
8/23/05 at 2:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nrmf View Post

you bringing that equipment over or do i need to send this beer back.

Mike - I'm in NYC right now, with no ability to make it over. Besides, don't you want to go out and get a SpyderTV for yourself?
Reply
Reply
post #35 of 933
8/23/05 at 2:13pm
Thread Starter 
I just got off the phone with the product managers for the SpyderTV and the SpyderPRO. Here is the latest official scoop:

1) The sensors in the TV and PRO are different!! It seems that the beta test hardware for the SpyderTV (STV) was just the current Spyder2 hardware with the new shell on it. According to them, the shipping SpyderTV will have even better hardware. I was not unhappy with the current performance. I am now expecting to be ecstatic with the new stuff - it will arrive this weekend, barring FedEx barfing on the delivery.

2) The current upgrade path is the standard "25% loyalty discount" when bought direct. There will be a software upgrade path, but only once the Spyder2PRO package starts shipping with the new sensor (basically, wait until the v2.0 release). Pricing has not been determined yet for the software-only upgrade path.

3) This now makes my default recommendation be for folks to buy the SpyderTV if you are looking to buy today, and then upgrade the software later if you want to add the ability to do profiling, printers or cameras.

Folks, I think this should clarify all of the outstanding questions, except the biggest one: just how good is the new "secret sauce" in the STV?

Also, yes, I am a bit miffed that I wasn't told a) when the beta had closed (a "thank you, we're done" e-mail would have sufficed), or b) that the hardware had changed. I apologize to everyone to whom I have given incorrect information. I now need to update the other four+ threads that deal with the Spyder on the forum.
Reply
Reply
post #36 of 933
8/23/05 at 2:17pm
So if i bougth my Spyder2 package in canada, i'm screwed ?
Reply
Reply
post #37 of 933
8/23/05 at 2:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ursa View Post

This now makes my default recommendation be for folks to buy the SpyderTV if you are looking to buy today, and then upgrade the software later if you want to add the ability to do profiling, printers or cameras.

Thanks for the update Ursa. So, going forward, one could purchase a SpyderTV today and be set should they want to upgrade to the Spyder2PRO Studio or even Colorfacts 6.0? This definitely makes things easier, although I am a little miffed because I recently purchased the Spyder2PRO Studio not more than a few months ago.

I think I am going to go ahead and purchase the SpyderTV. Judging by your post, I should be able to use my existing PRO Studio software and the upcoming 2.0 version.

Mark
Reply
Reply
post #38 of 933
8/23/05 at 2:38pm
Thread Starter 
Mark - The shipping Spyder2 is Not Bad for grayscale. However, if you do want the latest and greatest hardware, then yes, the TV is the way to go. How much better the new hardware is compared to the old one is TBD. I'll post my results as soon as I can get the new sensor and get a valid set of tests.

audiman - I would not say that you are screwed, but you do not have the latest and greatest. You may want to sell the existing product and grab the new one either direct (you can probably get the 25% loyalty discount direct) or via a reseller. However, your existing sensor will work for grayscale. It just won't be quite as accurate.
Reply
Reply
post #39 of 933
8/23/05 at 2:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ursa View Post

All that you need in addition to the SpyderTV is a spreadsheet model (mine, Jeff's, your own, someone else's) to make sense of the xyY data.

Without trying to break forum rules... will said spreadsheet(s) be "made available " or a link(s) provided to point us neophytes in the proper direction?


Thanks!
Reply
Reply
post #40 of 933
8/23/05 at 3:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ursa View Post

According to them, the shipping SpyderTV will have even better hardware.

So if we purchase a SpyderTV direct, we will be guaranteed to have the latest sensor? Is there an associated hardware part number available for verification purposes?
Reply
Reply
post #41 of 933
8/23/05 at 3:17pm
The Manufacturer Part Number on the shipping version of the SpyderTV (from Colorvision's site) appears to be 'STV100'. Can anyone confirm this as the latest and greatest?

Mark
Reply
Reply
post #42 of 933
8/23/05 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 
Scott - YGPM. There are several spreadsheets posted in the forum. Almost all of them have errors of one sort or another, and of one severity or another. As for the SpyderTV, you are guaranteed to have the latest and greatest sensor with the SpyderTV, period. It does not matter whether you buy direct or not. Theoretically, the PRO packages also are being shipped with the new sensor, but there is no guarantee about what you get there, even buying direct, until v2.0 of the PRO is released.

Mark - The bigger issue is what the part number for the sensor itself is and what hardware and software revision levels it contains. The PRO package, under preferences, will give you that info.
Reply
Reply
post #43 of 933
8/23/05 at 3:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ursa View Post

Mark - The bigger issue is what the part number for the sensor itself is and what hardware and software revision levels it contains. The PRO package, under preferences, will give you that info.

You got me there.

Mark
Reply
Reply
post #44 of 933
8/23/05 at 4:32pm
and what drink all this beer myself and try to learn how to set it up.
Reply
Reply
post #45 of 933
8/23/05 at 5:50pm
Question:
Will the SpyderTV, xyY data taken with the SpyderTV.exe, and your not yet available spreadsheet allow full greyscale calibration of a Plasma?
Will your spreadsheet be automated or streamlined with the SpyderTV software?

Samsonite
Reply
Reply
post #46 of 933
8/23/05 at 6:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nrmf View Post

and what drink all this beer myself and try to learn how to set it up.

Mike - that's kind of the point...

Samsonite - Yes. Automated? Only if I can get the API. I had a hack, but it went away. However, I'll make a release announcement when it's available in a separate thread.
Reply
Reply
post #47 of 933
8/24/05 at 8:52am
I can't write much, as I just got back from vacation, but to clarify the sensor "lineage":
  • Spyder1 is the 'older' stuff. The sexier looking Spyder2 is a big improvement in overall accuracy, low light level performance, speed, etc.. You definitely want to be in the Spyder2 'family'.
  • A couple of Spyder2 products shipped ("PRO" AND early SpyderTV Beta units) before SpyderTV was released. However, we discovered some things during development of STV that benefitted the HT space (it doesn't affect the digital imaging side much at all). This "universal Spyder" (what URSA is calling the "latest and greatest") will be the future hardware for *all* of the Spyder2 line. So, yes, there ARE two sub-versions of the Spyder2, but it is really only important to know that for the Home Theater space.
  • I believe that the PRO software will work fine with the hardware from SpyderTV, but the SpyderTV software will NOT work with the hardware from PRO.

Make sense?

The summary is that the hardware in SpyderTV will be the hardware in ALL of the products moving forward, and will be the "baseline" hardware that allows the software packages to be upgraded from the digital imaging-->home theater divide in the future.
Reply
Reply
post #48 of 933
8/24/05 at 8:58am
Thanks for the update Mark!

So when one says the "shipping" version of SpyderTV contains the latest Spyder2 sensor, can we assume that means the latest Spyder2 sensor is included no matter the source (either directly from Colorvision, or some third party reseller)?

Mark
Reply
Reply
post #49 of 933
8/24/05 at 9:20am
Quote:


can we assume that means the latest Spyder2 sensor is included no matter the source

Correct. All shipping units contain the latest Spyder2.

It was only a handful of the early Beta units that used the original Spyder2.

If you got SpyderTV in the retail box, you definitely have the latest hardware.
Reply
Reply
post #50 of 933
8/24/05 at 10:23am
could the "early spyder2" be recalibrated to the "home theater centric" specifications?

I hate this.... if I buy something and it becomes obsolete in a year, so be it.... but in just a few months???? Come on guys.....

Reply
Reply
post #51 of 933
8/24/05 at 10:31am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Hunter View Post

It was only a handful of the early Beta units that used the original Spyder2.

I thought I was late to the game for the beta!
Reply
Reply
post #52 of 933
8/24/05 at 11:28am
Mark,

Can you confirm if/when there will be a software upgrade for the SpyderTV (like for the PRO) that allows for calibration of a front projector?
Reply
Reply
post #53 of 933
8/25/05 at 4:07pm
Heads up:
The Spyder 2 Pro Studio front projector update is now available!
Reply
Reply
post #54 of 933
8/26/05 at 8:55am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alwilli View Post

Heads up:
The Spyder 2 Pro Studio front projector update is now available!

Actually, it's the whole thing. v2.0 has shipped more than a month early. Wow!
Reply
Reply
post #55 of 933
8/26/05 at 11:51pm
After installing it tonight, I am not sure that this new version will bring anything significant to crt pj owners.

I would guess that there will be more to come from Mr spyder guru Bill!

Arno
Reply
Reply
post #56 of 933
8/27/05 at 4:31am
i have not found any instructions for PJ - Spider- Hardware alignment for the 2.0 Version.

Not in the Software, Read-me ore User-guide. Mysterious how exactly it to use

Any Idea?

Regards Damdy
Reply
Reply
post #57 of 933
8/27/05 at 7:59am
Damdy,

When you install the update, new options show up as you go down the process.
I don't know that they had a chance to do any documentation on everything since it seems that this was released early.

Arno
Reply
Reply
post #58 of 933
8/27/05 at 9:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cooltalkingfrog View Post

Damdy,

When you install the update, new options show up as you go down the process.
I don't know that they had a chance to do any documentation on everything since it seems that this was released early.

Arno

I have this tested first. But at the Point where I have to put the Spider on the "Monitor" theres no information how I have to mount the Spider for a PJ.
Only the same Picture as by the previos only Monitor Version 1.05.

Reagrds Damdy
Reply
Reply
post #59 of 933
8/27/05 at 9:54am
Sorry, I had not understood what you meant.
Well, in that case, I strongly recommend that you have a look at this thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=496565

There are pictures of how I setup mine, and plenty of instructions from knowledgeable people there.
(Version 1.x should not be that different...)

Arno
Reply
Reply
post #60 of 933
8/27/05 at 10:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by damdy-cash View Post

I have this tested first. But at the Point where I have to put the Spider on the "Monitor" theres no information how I have to mount the Spider for a PJ.
Only the same Picture as by the previos only Monitor Version 1.05.

Reagrds Damdy

Which version of the Spyder do you have? If you have the tripod mount, see if the pictures in the first post help you in how to use it. You will want a tripod, though!
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Display Calibration

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Display Devices › Display Calibration › SpyderTV Review